NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 09: Republican president-elect Donald Trump delivers his acceptance speech during his election night event at the New York Hilton Midtown in the early morning hours of November 9, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Donald Trump, who is set to become the 45th president of the United States, started his victory speech by thanking Hillary Clinton after a hard fought campaign

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US president-elect Trump congratulates Clinton on 'hard-fought campaign' as she concedes defeat

Independent.ie

Donald Trump, who is set to become the 45th president of the United States, started his victory speech by thanking Hillary Clinton after a hard fought campaign

"Thank you very much. I just received a call from Secretary Clinton. She congratulated us - it's about us - on our victory and I congratulated her and her family on a very, very hard-fought campaign. Hilary has worked very hard and very long over a long period of time.

"And we owe her a major debt of gratitude for her service to our country. Now it is time for Americans to bind the wounds to division."

He went on to say that this is a victory for every American, not just the ones who voted for him. He said: "It is time for us to come together as one united people," adding "I pledge to every citizen of our land that I will president for all Americans."

"For those who have chosen not to support me in the past, I am reaching out to you for your guidance and your help so we can unify our great country. Ours was not a campaign, but a... movement.

"It is a movement comprised of Americans of all races, who want and expect our Government to serve the people and serve the people it will."

He made promises to veterans and insisted he would work on the "untapped potential" of America. Mr Trump said it was "now time for America to bind the wounds of division and come together

"I spent my entire life in business, looking at the untapped potential of projects and people throughout the world. That is what I want to do now for our country," he added.

He went on to say: "Forgotten men and women of our country, will be forgotten no longer."

Trump also added that "No dream is too big, no challenge is to great" and said that America "must reclaim our country's destiny."

He also touched on foreign policy, saying: "While we will always put American interests first we will deal with everyone. We will seek common ground, not hostility. Partnership, not conflict"

Trump also expressed desires to serve a second term, stating: "“And hopefully after 2 years or 3 years or 4 years, maybe even 8 years, you'll say we did a great job."

Before Trump took the stage, his running mate, Mike Pence said: "This is a historic night. The American people have spoken and the American people have elected their new champion.

"America has elected a new president and is almost hard for me to express the honour me and my family feel that we will be able to serve as your vice president."

"I'm mostly grateful to our president elect whose leadership and vision will make America great again."